The display case is lovely! I like the wood but I'm never afraid to paint something if it does not work with where you want to put it. You can always sand thru the paint and let some of the wood peak out.

How sweet of your Dad to help your. I am a white loving girl, but somethings just have to stay in there original state, I think you made a good call on leaving this piece unpainted, this is quite a treasure

I would not paint it. I think that only one piece in a room should be painted. It makes that piece an exclamation point! I see bloggers out there painting everything but their dogs, and I am just not a fan.

I love it Laura!I'd leave it's original finish.I'm so envious, in a good way, that you have your father as a kindred spirit and repairman at your side! What a pair the two of you make :)I'm smitten with that bottle

So glad you left it in its original state. Use Howard Wood Restorer if you want to bring up the patina and remove the age/dirt buildup. Easy to use and instant restoration without sacrificing the original finishes. Love your display case. Sea Witch

Like the treasured pieces that lie within (that will change when the mood strikes) the little cupboard is best left as is... worn where the trembling hand caressed the door panel, lovingly removing, dusting and rotating the pieces tucked safely inside...Susan x

Laura, I love the cabinet but would love it even more painted off-white with patina.But it was a great find. I see you are keeping your Dad busy. It's good to have a man around who can fix things.Love, Evi

Hello, Oh what a beautiful display box, I would not paint it, it is beautiful just the way it is. Thank you for sharing, your photo's are always so beautiful. I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Hugs, Terri

It's lovely the way it is. I realize that painting is all the rage and improves the look of some pieces that if left in their "as found" condition, look too drab and tired. However, I also fear that in ten or twenty years, we'll come to regret painting all the older furniture much like we regret the antiquing phase that was so prevalent in the late 60s and early 70s. My parents had several nice oak pieces that they 'antiqued' because they didn't fit in with their furnishings. Of course, it didn't take too many years before the antiqued furniture didn't fit in either. Hope I'm not getting too philosophical (LOL). I love your stuff. It has character, flaws and all.

I don't think I could ever paint anything made of oak! Among all the old things I love are the wonderful oak pieces that fill my home. I also like to read old books, and found one about logging written in 1904, "The Blazed Trail" by Stewart Edward White. It was a real eye-opener for me, and gave me a whole new respect for antique furniture that was manufactured in the days before chain saws and all the modern methods of logging - it was dangerous work with great loss of life and limb under the most horrific working conditions. When you think of how it came to be in your hands, you won't ever want to paint it!

The patina of age is more often, than not, what draws me to a piece. I, too, sometimes struggle with whether or not to paint something of a vintage or antique pedigree.

So, here is how I approach it. I imagine seeing the piece for the first time, but in my mind, it's painted. Would I STILL have the same attraction to it? Would I want to call it my own? If not, the piece remains UNpainted and continues to wear its original finish - just usually cleaner than found. ;)

I have the same style of cabinet but will only one glass shelf in it. I have left it in its wood originality and have owned it for many years. Found a garage sale for $1.75, yes, I paid the full asking price. I too, had to fix the front door.Don't paint it, leave it with the original wood stained finish.

About Me

My Symphony

To live content with small means.... To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion.... To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich.... To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.... To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart.... To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.... In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common...............this is to be my symphony.

Flea Market Style Spring 2011

Somerset Life - Winter 2010

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